Hat-pressing machine



Feb. 10, 1925.

J; LAKE, ss

HAT PRES S ING MACHIN E Filed June 21, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. LAKE, SR

' Feb. 10, 1925.

HAT PRESSING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESS ATTORNEY Fatented 10, 1925.

S1 ATIES JAMES LAKE, $3., 011' .BROOKLYN,;1\TEW YOBIL ne'r-rnnssrne naon nn.

Application file-(1. J unezl,

T0 (/ZZ whom '52. may concern Be it known that 1, JAM S LAKE, Sn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings andState of New Yorl-I, have invented.'certainnew and useful Improvements in Hat-Pressing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hat shaping means or" the. class in which the coacting means for exerting the requiredpressure on a hat crown or hat brim comprise on the. one hand a heated metallic matrix or mold and onthe other an inflatablev member to oppose yielding pressure on the matrix for compressing the IHtQl'POSGCl-blllll or crown. The machine herein shown and described, is intended t'or. operating on hats already either but crudely formed, as in the case of straw hats, or almost perfectly shaped v as inthe case of felt and the like so-called body hats, and it is designed especially for treating the better grade. of hats.

The principal objects are to provide,.-pressure means having theseadvantageous char. acteristics, to wit: that the product thereof will represent uniformly the highest grade o't worlnnanship; and that for adapting said means for operatingon brims or crowns of ditferent sizes or shapes by substituting one matrix or mold for another. changes only will have to bELlllHflG in the means complementary to such matrix or mold which aiect parts that are of relatively little, bull; and weight and which doznot require disestablishing the connections by. which the fluid for inflating such complementary means is introduced, so that time is saved, less attention and skill to operate the ma chine'and keep it in order are reqi iired. and little-space is needed tor. storageot' exchangeparts, I

The invention is not concerned with any particular instrumentalities "for causingone of the said coaeting-pressure means to move toward and from the other; therefore only thesimplest form of press hereinis illus. trated in, which said means are arranged. The one of the coactingmeans which constitutes the matrix or moldis herein also shown as of the simple one-piece type, with the crown and brim torming portions. in rigid relation to each-other, but that .is also immaterial to the present invention.

In'the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a sideelevation o't a pressconstructure a.

1922. Serial rlo. 568,899.

taining the improved coacting pressure means;

Fi 2 shows said means mainly .in vertical section this view being at right angles to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows in section, the inflatable die; Fig. 4% shows in plan one of the platens; Fig. 5 shows in section fragments of two of the platens; and

Fig. 6 shows in seetion twoof the collets r. I

Leta be the fixed structure of a suitable press and l the movable structure thereof movable toward and from the structure a and operated by the treadle c connectedin any suitable away with tion (as a pair of rods) Z) ture b.

The metallic matrix or mold (Z is here shown carried by. the structure a, its flange cl beingremovably secured by nuts 64', on pillars a forming upstanding parts of the Said matrix or mold has, a working-face facingthe movable structure 6, the same comprising a concave crownshapingportion or cavity (Z and anannular brim-shaping portion or surface d It; is not indispensable that the matrix or mold be the upper one of the two coacting pressure means, but it is better so sinee by that arrangement the hat appears right side up to the attendant and it is the top surface of the hat which requires the more particular attention. shownas hollow so as to contain steam as a heating medium, the steam connections not being shown; it, maybe adaptedto be heated in any other way.

Means coacts with the cavity (1 f the matrix to shape the crown which is 0t well knowntorm in so far as it includes an inflatable die having an'infiata-ble bulbous die properv to be receivedby saidcavity and having means for supporting andinflating it, as the fluid-conducting pipe ont-ubula r standard-f to the upper end of which it'is suitably connected; according to a known construction this die maybe vertically adjustable relatively to the remaining or brim forming part of the lower. of the two coacting 'pressure means in order tobe adapted for cavities d of varying depth v( that is, inorder to coact with matrices designed for the, shaping of 'hat crowns of different heights), as by hayingthe standard 7- threadedinto a nut g whieh is revoluble in apart of said structhe depending p01 The matrix or. mold is here as aforesaid.

of the movable structure Z), as the crosshead 5" connecting the rods 7), the structure ef being splined with b at /z and so kept from turning. As usual in theseinachines the structure c-j will have valves (not shown) for controlling the admission to and release therefrom of the inflating fluid, it being understood that usually the inflating is made to take place after the die is fully contained within the cavity (P so that such inflating is the factor causing the pressing and consequent shaping of the hat crown. lVhere cavities (Z of different depths are presented the die is adapted thereto by simply adjusting it up or down But where cavities of different head-sizes, i. e., diameters, are presented the die is adapted thereto as follows: The element (2 or inflatable die proper is adapted to coact directly with the cavity of smallest head-size; for the cavities of the larger head-sizes there are intermediaries 27, each in the form of a rubber cap and all having inside the same size as the exterior of the die proper 0 but so graded in thickness that exteriorly they respectively have sizes to suit such cavities of the larger headsizes. It is necessary that the inflatable die (i. e., whether consisting of only the die proper or such die proper with one of these caps thereon) should 'beelastic so as to expand when inflated and also contract when deflate-d for clearing the hat crown: it is also very desirable, in order to impart the proper finish to the surface of the hat and prevent the material of the die proper tending to bulge locally or in spots and so produce thin places in the hat material, to form said die proper and each of the caps, which are made of elastic rubber, with strata of different degrees of yie-ldability to pressure and with the less yieldable stratum, which is prefer ably fairly hard, forming the superficial port-ion of the member 6 or 1:, as indicated at in Fig. 3. This particular expedient is not in itself new in the art for the purpose stated, but itis when applied to a bulbous body like (2 or i and in particular to its upright as well as its top or arched portion, in which connection it has the further advan tage of desirably stiffening said upright portion so that it is better adapted to withstand the wear and tear incident to the die entering and leaving the cavity under the thrust of the press and of easing the slipping-on and off (particularly the former) of the hat crown. Each capv is adapted to have a normal retaining grip on the member 6, that is, a grip which will insure its descending with said member to clear the cavity on pre vious removal of the inflating pressure within said member; in the present example such grip is due both to friction and atmospheric pressure as an incident to the cap snugly fitting member The caps are elastic and each is self-contracting to a size that will enable it in its normal or contracted state to freely enter or leave the cavity with the hat crown interposed.

As for the means for shaping the brim: it: is a support which is here shown separate from and resting on the movable structure 7) of the press and may be secured thereto in any way. It has an outer upstanding continuous flange 7c and also an inner upstanding flange generally designated by the character is, to which latter more particular reference will be hereinafter made. In the annular channel formed by this flanged support is placed what 1 term an annular inflatable bag means, being in the present form an elastic rubber annular tubular body Z and an annular casing or envelope m therefor provided with a. continuous opening or slit m for admitting the body Z. There are attached to the body Z tubular connections a for admitting thereto and releasing therefrom a suitable inflating fluid, and these connections may have valves (not shown) for controlling the fluid flow. The-flange 7c is higher than the inflatable bag means, but the heights of flange and said means are about equal. In the recess form-ed by the bag means and flange Z0 is seated a flat endless or continuous platen 0, which has an inside perimeter substantially equal in size to and conforming in shape with the mouth of cavity (Z and an outside perimeter of suitable shape and size to be fitted more or less loosely in said recess; the platen overlies, all around, the flange 1;. Since the top of the bag means is here shown flat and horizontal the under side of the platen is shaped to correspond. its top surface is shaped to present substantial parallelism to the surface (Z of the matrix (Z. The platen is preferably madeof soft rub-- her with its top surface hardened for a suitable depth, as at o, in order to impart a good finish to the under side of the hat brim and prevent the material of the platen tending to bulge or yield locally. The in ner surface of flange Z1 is substantially flush, all around, with the inner edge of the platen. The flange 70 is beveled (preferably with a rounded bevel) at the top thereof, exteri'orly, as at 7') and the shape of the bag means is preferably such that at m" it reaches into the crevice produced by this bevel, so that on inflation the bag means will exert pressure against the surface (Z clear to the margin of the cavity (P. It is very important that the thickness of flange l? should not be afactor in preventing the pressure exerted by the bag means from acting on the particular part of the hat where the crown and brim meet. The oflice of the flange 76 is to limit the laterally in ward bulglng 0f the bag means when the latter is inflated so that, since it is also limited against bulging downwardly and laterally :outward'; by Iii and 7c, the pressure it exerts will be. concentrated upwardly'and can havelno undue influence on the die 0. Its ofliceisa'lso. to protect theinner edge of the more or less limber platen trom' disturbance due to the laterally expanding" action offsaid die 6 which, withoutinterposition of the flange, circumterentially meets the inner perimeter ofthe-"plateirso thatthe two coact to impart a nice finish tothe. said. part of the hat where the crown and brim .meet. WVhen the matrix is changed for another a corresponding" change mustbemade as to the platen; wherefore the necessary equipment will include aleast as many platens as there are matrices, such platens (Withrespect to changes-in head-sizes) all having the same outside diameters but varying inside diameters (Fig. 5). Likewise a correspondingchange must be made with respect to the flange 7c. The preferred construction for this purpose is one wherein there is a fixed basal portion 9 upstanding from support in and a collet 1" which has at the top the mentioned exterior. bevel Y10 and fits within the portion (1 :and has an exterior undercut shoulder a to reston thetop of said portion, the collet being held against rising by a pin it removablviarranged inalined holes inthe support 7i: and, the .collet. There will of course be .as many collets as'there. are matricest'or' diflerent. head-sizes, they all having'the same outside diameters but varying .inside diameters and also varying angles ot 'bevel 1) (Fig. 6).

In the operation of the press, a hat will usually. have-both its crown and brim acted uponor shaped upon a 'single'closingof the press. The press A in position on the lower one of'its twocoactingineans and cf adjusted verticallyto suit the particular-depth of the cavity-cZ- the fluid is admitted. for, inflating the inflatable die and the bag means; the press is not closed to such an extent that the beveled edge of the colletimpinges with any appreciable pressure against the inner margin of the platen, as that would either disturb such margin undesirably, by wedging it out-ward, or pinch it, and Would in addition involve mechanical pressure on the hat when fluid pressure everywhere is preferable. (So far as my invention is concerned, it is not material ii'? the inflating of the means 0 Z occurs simultaneously or first one and then the other.) The inflatable die coacts With the matrix cavity 03 to press and shape the crown. The bag means, through the medium of the platen, coacts with said matrix surface d to press and shape the brim. No leakage can occur because the element Z is a one-piece jointless expansible structure, the term bag means being intended to define being closed with the hat an inflatable member all ot-whose: wall structure is more or less =flexiblebaiid integral.

The inflatable dieaiicl .ba'g meansare always w vhenever the anatrix is changed. for-:another changes otherwise requiredare very; readily eiiected. Thus, when-but the crown height changed structure ef only requ-iresa'vertical adjustment. When thehead-sizeas changed, it is only necessary to cliaiigesthe smallglight and easilyan d parts 1,?"- and 0. heir the-brin'i-shape is changed-only the part o-needs =tobechanged.

The bag means and its support:remaina perinanentlv in the machine iorall' shapes and sizes. Changes atlccting head-sizes orbrim- 335 shapes in previous machines requii'edwremoving not only the inflatableecrown.die but, as anentirety, the inflatable-brim .P'L'BS- sure means, with incident-al 'disconnection; of the fluid conducting means-for and. pressure means; it further required; extensive storage facilities for these larger structures in the multitude of :sizes and shapes that they were adapted (to produce, since the workor hat-contacting surfaces were i ntegral p arts of them.

7 In the present instance-thewwall-like. portions tormed by the platen; and'iflange is are shown separable, the platen .=beingof rubber and the fl-ange oi' metahand theilatterriat least at its basal part being.irigidawith. respect to snpportjc. -But' thesedetails are not indispensable,"it being arpartiofainy invention to a1-range-suclr portions-an angular relation to eaclii other for. controlling the expansion radially inward-and upwarchof. the b a g 1 means.

-: laying-thus tully'describedany invention,

-what L" claim as new and; desire to-secu re' by Letters Patent r-is Y 1. I In a hat pressing apparatus, an. inflatable expansible bulbous rubber member forming a crown-shaping die coactive with a crown-shaping matrix cavity, the same having throughout strata of different degrees of yieldability to pressure and having the less yieldable stratum the superficial exterior portion of the member.

2. In a hat pressing apparatus, a bulbous crown-shaping die coactive with a crownshaping matrix cavity and including an inflatable inner bulbous expansible member and an expansible rubber cap fitted over said member.

3. In a hat pressing apparatus, a bulbous crown-shaping die coactivewith a crownshaping matrix cavity and including an inflatable inner bulbous expansible member and a self-contracting but expansible cap fitted over said member.

both said die quickly-removable l. In a hat pressing apparatus, a bulbous crown-shaping die coactive with a crownshaping matrix cavity and including an inflatable inner bulbous expansible member and a self-contracting but expensible cap applied over and having a normal retaining grip on said member.

5. The combination of coacting hat pressing means, one having a crown pressing cavity and around the cavity a brim-pressing surface and the other including a die to enter the cavity and coact with the surface thereof to form the hat crown and around the die a platen to coact wit-h the brimpressing surface to press the hat brim and bag means backing said platen, with mechanism to move one of said first named means toward and from the other.

6. The combination of coacting hat pressing means one having a crown cavity and around the cavity a brim-pressing surface and the other including a flexible concaveconvex die to enter the cavity and adapted to receive pressure internally thereof and thereby to coact with the surface of said cavity to form the hat crown and said other one of said means also having around the die a. relatively thin pressure-transmitting medium to coact with the brinrpressing surface to press the brim and having an edgie thereof presented to the die, with mechanism to move one of said means toward and from the other including a rigid flange surrounding the die and between which and the brim-pressing surface said edge of said medium is interposed.

7. The combination of coacting hat pressing means, one having a crown cavity and around the cavity a brim-pressing surface and the other including a flexible concaveconvex die to enter the cavity and adapted to receive pressure internally thereof and thereby to coact with the surface of said cavity to form the hat crown and said other one of said means also having around the die a relatively thin pressure-transmitting medium to coact with the brim-pressing surface to press the brim and having an edge thereof presented to the die, with mechanism to move one of said means toward and from the other including a rigid flange snrto receive pressure internally thereof and thereby to coact with the surface of said cavity to form the hat crown and said other one of said means also having around the die a relatively thin pressure-traiismitting medium to coact with the brim-pressing surface to press the brim and having an edge thereof presented to the die, with mechanism to move one of said means toward and from the other including a rigid flange surrounding the die and between which and the brim-pressing surface said edge of said medium is interposed, and bag means around the flange to apply pressure against said medium. said flange having the edge thereof adjoining said medium beveled at the side of the die adjoining the bag means.

9. The combination of coacting hat pressing means, one having a crown cavity and around the cavity a brim-pressing surface and the other including a die to enter the cavity and coact with the surface thereof to form the hat crown ant around the die inflatable bag means to coact with said brimpressing surface to press the hat brim with walls arranged in angular relation to each other and one interposed between the bag means and die and the other between said bag means and brim-pressing surface.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

JAMES LAKE, SR. 

